Chad Duell Announces He's LeavingGeneral HospitalAfter Nearly 15 Years: 'This Wasn't an Easy Decision for Me'

Mar. 15, 2025

Chad Duell in 2023.Photo:Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Chad Duell at the 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on December 15, 2023

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Chad Duellis leavingGeneral Hospital, nearly 15 years after he first joined the soap opera’s cast.

The actor, 37, announced his departure from the series in anInstagram poston Saturday, Nov. 23, writing that “[after] many incredible years withGeneral Hospital, I’ve decided to step away from the show.”

From left: Kristen Alderson, Bryan Craig and Chad Duell in a 2013 episode of ‘General Hospital.'.Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Kristen Alderson (Lauren Frank), Bryan Craig (Morgan) and Chad Duell (Michael) in a scene that airs the week of May 27, 2013 on Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images’s “General Hospital.

Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Duell has played Michael Corinthos, the son of A.J. Quartermaine (Sean Kanan) and Carly Spencer ( Laura Wright) on the ABC soap since 2010. He took over the role from Drew Garrett, and won a Daytime Emmy in 2015 for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

Although no replacement has been announced to play Michael, actor Robert Adamson portrayed the character intermittently beginning in 2022 after Duell experienced scheduling conflicts, perSoap Opera Digest.

“Welcome to the world lil Dawson 👶🏻. Been quite the journey.. can’t wait to see the great man you become 🙌🏻@luanalucci,” the new dad captioned the post.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Duell’s exit comes after PEOPLE reported in August thatKelly Monacowould beleavingGeneral Hospital. In an October episode, her character Sam McCall was killed off, and Monaco alleged in asince-deleted commentonSoap Hub’s Instagramin October that her exit from the show was “retaliation.”

“When Billy Miller was fired, Sam’s storyline stopped. Stripping Sam of every characteristic she had,” she wrote. “Something I worked for decades to build… Slowly dismantling her, into a character that I did not recognize, let alone the audience. Call it what you will… retaliation at it [sic] finest. I will give a proper statement. The truth will set you free.”

Monaco, who originated the character of Sam and appeared in more than 2,300 episodes of the soap,earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2006 for best supporting actress.

source: people.com